REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

MINISTER TUNÇ: WE ARE SENSITIVE TO SUSTAIN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS IN AN IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT MANNER

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç visited the graves of the students from TRNC at Famagusta Cemetery, who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquake epicentered in Kahramanmaraş under the rubble of the collapsed hotel in Adıyaman where they had come for the volleyball tournament.

Minister Tunç also met with the families of the ‘Champion Angels’ and expressed that they experienced a massive earthquake disaster on February 6, hundreds of thousands of building in 11 provinces collapsed, and more than 50 thousand persons lost their lives.

Noting their trust to the judiciary, Minister Tunç stated ‘There are 9 accused persons in the case, 5 of whom are detained. On January 3, the hearing will take place. Here, we are especially sensitive to achieve justice and sustain the judicial process in an impartial and independent manner. Whoever is at fault there, whoever is guilty in the construction of that building will be revealed.’

STILL FEELING THIS SORROW DEEPLY

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç reminded that the students in the girls and boys volleyball teams of Famagusta Turkish Teacher College, teachers, and the parents, who could not get out of the debris of İsias Hotel in Adıyaman were among those who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquake and added “Of course, among these 50 thousand sisters and brothers, the angels from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus hit us hard. We felt the sorrow for all of them, but the death of these children, who were visiting our country for the championship, as a result of the collapse of the hotel, really shook us deeply. We still feel this sorrow deeply.”

WE TRUST IN OUR JUDICIARY

Wishing God's mercy to those who lost their lives and patience to their families, Justice Minister Tunç reminded that the judicial process is pending and expressed the following:

"Isias is a hotel in the centre of Adıyaman. It was built according to earthquake requirements, but then some additions were conducted against the zoning. These were revealed as a result of the investigation. Two expert reports were obtained from Istanbul Technical University and Karadeniz Technical University. There are 9 accused persons in the case, 5 of whom are detained. On January 3, the hearing will take place. Here, we are especially sensitive to achieve justice and sustain the judicial process in an impartial and independent manner. Whoever is at fault there, whoever is guilty in the construction of that building will be revealed of court by our judiciary. We trust in our judiciary"

FOLLOWING UP THE PROCESS CLOSELY

Stating that they have been following up the investigation and trial process closely, Minister Tunç expressed “As the Justice Minister, I can personally assure the families that your sensitivity on this matter is our sensitivity. I’d like to note that we will follow this issue until it is concluded .”

Expressing his condolences to the Turkish Cypriot community and the Turkish people, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç continued his speech as follows:

"These children are also our children. We are one nation, single nation. 50 thousand of our citizens lost their lives. Each of them is one of our brothers and sisters. It is not possible for us to distinguish them from each other, but of course, the fact that these children lost their lives as a team shook us very deeply. Their families grieved, and we grieved. The pain is still in our hearts. Therefore, we continue our sensitivity to ensure that there is no deficiency or disruption in the trial process."

Minister Tunç told the families who wanted to follow the hearings that this was their most natural right and added, "It is a natural right to monitor and follow the trial of your children. We have time until January 3. Let us also meet with our Chief Public Prosecutor. Let's evaluate what can be done in this regard."